Environment
Need some good news about the environment? The Optimist Daily is your go-to herald of positive environmental news, highlighting eco-friendly solutions and scientific progress around climate action, circularity, conservation, and more. Learn about everything eco in our Environment section.
London cafes are selling tasty meals made from supermarket waste
The Real Junk Food Project (RJFP) is an initiative out of London that is persuading a number of supermarkets to hand over their waste food rather than dump it into the garbage, with the collected ingredients being used to create wholesome lunchtime meals at a pop-up restaurant. Thus far the Read More...
Scientists create a new type of bioplastic made out of olive seeds
A team of scientists from Istanbul has discovered a new way to produce bioplastic by using the cellulosic agent found in olive seeds. According to researchers, just one kilogram of this bioplastic, which is already being used in electronics and food packaging, reduces carbon dioxide emissions by Read More...
These “impossible” success stories prove humanity is making great strides
In the midst of government shutdowns, injustice at the border, and continuing environmental problems, quite a few victories for goodness and progress have occurred in the last year. For example, the country of Niger has reportedly seen the growth of 200 million trees in the past three decades, Read More...
A simple guide to understanding effective climate change policy
When it comes to climate change, the issue is certainly not black and white. There are so many issues to be dealt with at so many levels, which makes it extremely difficult to understand what is actually needed for effective climate change policy. If you’re feeling overwhelmed when it comes to Read More...
From Biodegradable and Sustainable to Renewable and Regenerative
Upon the European Union’s recent decision to ban plastic cultery, plates and straws by 2021, we encourage our readers to think vigilantly about seemingly sustainable alternatives. Recent articles like this: European citizens will stop using disposable plastic products by 2021 Read More...
Gene-editing could save American forests from pests and diseases
US environmental agencies are considering whether or not to use biotechnology to protect American forests which, especially due to climate change, are becoming more vulnerable to pests and diseases. Biotechnological tools such as genetic editing could help introduce trees that can survive threats Read More...
European citizens will stop using disposable plastic products by 2021
In 2021, Europeans will have to say goodbye to single-use plastics such as straws and cups. Just this week EU member states confirmed the provisional agreement reached between the presidency of the Council and the European Parliament on a new directive to introduce restrictions on disposable Read More...
Growing crops becomes more efficient when farmland is shared with solar panels
Farming and solar panels are sharing the same land in some fields of Massachusetts with the goal of helping farmers diversify their income through renewable energy generation. The dual-use solar installation, sometimes called agrivoltaics, is a photovoltaic array that’s raised far enough off the Read More...
After near extinction, the bison is thriving on the Great Plains once more
In 1890, fewer than 1,000 bison were left in North America. Today nearly half-a-million bison have been restored in over 6,000 locations across the continent, a remarkable comeback spurred by conservation initiatives. And what makes their comeback even more beautiful is that scientists are learning Read More...
David Attenborough urges decisive climate action as we enter new geological age
David Attenborough claims that humanity has stepped into a new geological age, leaving the Holocene and entering the Anthropocene: the age of humans. The natural historian has made the statement as he urged politicians and businessmen from around the world to make a renewed push to tackle climate Read More...